UNGA DELEGATES DISCUSS NEPAD AND MALARIA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000961 SIPDIS ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON XA SUBJECT: UNGA DELEGATES DISCUSS NEPAD AND MALARIA ¶1. In plenary session on October 20, The UN General Assembly (UNGA) received the Secretary General's reports on progress toward fulfillment of UNGA Resolution 62/180: 2001-2010: Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa (A/63/206, A/63/212 and A/63/219). UNGA subsequently discussed the New Partnership for Africa's Economic Development and malaria. Delegates heard interventions from representatives of Rwanda, Italy, Kazakhstan, the United States, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Holy See. Representatives called for more assistance and local buy-in to development solutions. ¶2. More assistance: UNGA President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann called for a reversal of what he claimed was a decline in official development assistance (ODA) and adherence to the Millennium Development Goals. Italian PermRep Guilio Terzi warned against allowing the global financial crisis to divert attention from Africa. Malawian and Kazakh representatives called for increased ODA, while Rev. Philip J. Bene (an Amcit),speaking in behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio, called for increased commitment of resources to fighting diseases, calling malaria "a major threat to human security." ¶3. D'Escoto called for support of African efforts to implement its own programs. Terzi twice mentioned the importance of Africa's ownership of its own development. Kazakh PerRep Byrganym Aitimova echoed this, combining a request for debt relief with a statement that primary responsibility for development remains with African governments. ¶4. Optimism: D'Escoto praised the African Union for playing an increasing role in mediating disputes. Aitimova sees a silver lining in high food prices, opining that they may open an opportunity to remove agricultural trade barriers. Malawi's representative expressed hope that intellectual property considerations should make drugs available. ¶5. United States remarks focused on conflict prevention, sustainability, and eradication of disease, and are available at the Mission's web site, www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov. Khalilzad